Okay. Here is yet another wonderful chapter. *Sees Deity has regained
sword* Okay, who gave Deity her sword back? *Hurries to the keyboard* Uh-
oh, She's grinning. No good can come of this. Anyway, here's another
chapter enjoy!
There was a sudden flash of lightening and low growl cutting through the air. Amiboshi looked all around him. Damn it! They had followed him. Now he would have to fight them. "Show yourselves! I know you're here." "Oh Amiboshi, what a fool you are. You should know by now that we don't tolerate traitors among the Seiryu Seven." "Soi. What do you want?" "We only came to teach you lesson boy." "We?" Ashitare stepped out of the shadows of the woods. The feral look in his eyes was extremely unnerving. This was it. They would have a fight to the finish this time. There was no way they would both escape this fray alive. "What's the matter Soi, can't you handle your own fights? You have to have Ashitare fight your battles for you?" "Oh I'm not here to fight you boy. Ashitare is the one with a grudge to settle. I'm just an observer." This confused Amiboshi. Normally when Soi was sent out it was always to fight. He had seen her action and she was most definitely a force to be reckoned with. He did not want to have to fight her, or Ashitare. He knew that if it came down to it, he would lose. Oh he would be able to hold his own for a while, but eventually he would lose. But what Amiboshi did not know, was that he would not face this battle alone. For help was close by. "If you fight him, you'll have to fight me as well." "Brother! I told you to watch Lady Yui." "It's alright. She's safe. I made sure of it," Suboshi assured his brother. "Fine. Let's get this over with. You two are so pathetic. You really think you can take Ashitare all by yourselves?" "If you wanna fight them yer gonna have ta take us on as well." Soi turned toward the sound of the voice and found the Suzaku Seven now standing in the open yard. They were actually going to help Amiboshi and Suboshi? What was going on here? Didn't the twins understand the price they would pay for what they had done? "Now who's running from their battles?" "No one's running." Soi looked behind her to the woods and a small smile played across her face. She knew it was right to bring him along. If the twins were going to have back up, so would they. "Tomo!" Tomo stepped out of the woods, a malicious smile on his face. This was going to be fun. He had wanted to take on the twins for as long he could remember. They had always walked around as if they were too good for him. Now he was going to make them pay. In an instant it was begun. Both sides fighting desperately to win, each person fighting for their own cause, and yet they were all joined just the same. Little did any of them know that a now very weak and conscious Miaka was watching the battle. At the first sounds of battle she had made her way to the door only to find the people she loved fighting with the Seiryu Seven in more ways than one. Amiboshi and Suboshi were fighting their own fellow warriors. She didn't know what had started this but she wasn't sure she liked the direction in which the battle was going. A loud scream cut into the air amongst the sounds of fighting, and her gaze shifted over to the far corner of the yard where Nuriko was facing off with Ashitare. What was he thinking? There was no way he would win! Miaka's eyes went wide in shock and horror as she watched the scene unfold before her eyes. Ashitare's clawed hand tore into the flesh of Nuriko's back and came out the other side. She watched as Ashitare shoved his arm further through Nuriko's body, and then, turning his arm into a half cupped hand, tore it back out the other side, taking the majority of Nuriko's chest cavity with it. Nuriko's agonized, pain filled scream filtered through the air stopping the battle. "NURIOK!!!!!!!"
As Nuriko's body fell to the ground Miaka ran as fast as she could to his side. She slid in the puddles of mud and landed at Nuriko's side. "Nuriko." Tears now welled-up, and began to spill down Miaka's face as she was forced to watch her friend bleed to death. Nuriko raised his hand upward and cupped Miaka's face in his hand. "Don't..don't cry for me ..Miaka.I'm not dying.I'm not leaving you.I'm always going to .be here." "Stop it..stop talking like that..quit talking like you're saying good-bye," Miaka sobbed. "Sure sounds like it doesn't it?" Miaka spared a glance up from her dying friend and saw the doctor standing nearby. Mitsukake.that was his name wasn't it? She heard someone say it when she was drifting in and out of consciousness earlier. "Mitsukake! Please! Please save him Mitsukake! You can't let him die! You can't!" Mitsukake felt the tears welling up in his own eyes. There was nothing he could do for the young man. He could heal most major wounds, but he couldn't replace vital organs. Tamahome now knelt beside Nuriko, tears running down his face as well. Nuriko had been one of his best friends. This couldn't be happening! It just couldn't. "Tama.take care of her.for me.I wish I could.." And suddenly, for the Suzaku Warrior Nuriko, the world suddenly became black, and there was no more pain. No more suffering, except for the pain in his heart. His only regret was that he could not stay. "No.this is.this is some sort of joke..you were just talking..Tamahome..Tasuki..you saw him talking didn't you? It isn't true.! Open your eyes! DAMN IT NURIKO OPEN YOUR EYES!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Miaka screamed. The other warriors all stood motionless, crying. Even Soi had shed a tear for the Suzaku Warrior. He had fought and died an honorable death. Everyone, including Miaka turned their attention to Ashitare, whom Tasuki and Hotohori were holding. Miaka stood and slowly walked toward Ashitare, anger and grief over riding all reason. "Hotohori." "Yes?" "Give me your sword." "What?" "You heard me." "As you wish." Hotohori handed over the sword, which had been in his family for many centuries, not quite realizing what it was Miaka intended to do with it. "Burn in hell you son of a bitch." With that said Miaka plunged the blade straight through Ashitare's body and out the other side, twisting the blade as it bit through bone and flesh. All Ashitare could do was gasp at the pain. But she did not stop there. Pulling the blade from his twisted body, Miaka raised the sword and with one clean swipe, beheaded Ashitare, and watched as his severed head hit the ground and rolled. And now, oh look, he was in two places at once! The thought should have made her laugh. But there was nothing funny about the situation at hand. Everyone stood in a shocked silence. No one wanted to believe what they had just witnessed. Everyone was dumbfounded and their minds were all having trouble processing the realization that Miaka had just killed Ashitare. They were all shocked into a far more deafening silence than before as Miaka picked up the severed head and threw it to Soi. "Tell Nakago this is what happens when he kills a Suzaku Warrior. A life for a life. Now get the fuck out before I do the same to you." No one moved. No one spoke. "Go!" With a sudden blur the Seiryu Seven Warriors, Soi and Tomo, along with the body and severed head of Ashitare were gone. Only Amiboshi and Suboshi remained, both badly beaten and bloody. "Thank you for your help.but please.please go..take care of Yui." The two young men nodded and suddenly they were gone as well. Miaka returned to Nuriko's side as new tears ran down her face. Nuriko.it wasn't fair. It wasn't fair! But there was nothing she could do about it now. The rain was coming down hard now. It was a massive downpour that echoed the pain in their hearts. For the Suzaku Warriors there was an unbearable pain burning its way into their hearts, but for Miaka, there was nothing. She was completely numb to the pain, and the rain pouring down on her, soaking her to the bone. Suddenly she felt a great emptiness within her. In the place where her fondness and love for Nuriko had once been. Now that he was gone, there was a great void in her heart. "Miaka.we should get inside." Tamahome said reaching for her. "Don't," Miaka said, pulling away," Just don't." She did not move from her spot on the ground as Tasuki and Mitsukake picked up the now lifeless form of their dead friend and carried it inside. It. You had to call the body and it now, because to call it anything else would make the reality of it all the more painful. Saying Nuriko's body was an it, made things easier. It made it easier to know that tomorrow, they would burry their friend. Miaka sat in the rain and mud letting it all sink in. Yui. Her best friend had been put through so much torture, and Miaka had been completely helpless. Even now her friend was still trapped in that horrible place. Nuriko. He had done so much for her, been so kind to her, and now.now she would never see him again. "Oh geaze Miaka.you're such an idiot." "I know.I'm know I'm just a cry baby..but." "But what?" "I miss you.it's only been a few minutes but I miss you so much already." "Gee I didn't know you cared." "Of course I cared. I always cared. You were my friend. I loved you. All of you so much and now that you're gone I." " You what Miaka?" "I feel empty.Why did you have to die?" Miaka yelled angrily" You knew you couldn't tale him on your own but you did it anyway! Why? God damn it!" Miaka pounded her fists into the ground sending a splash of mud and other things into the air, staining her clothes. "You really don't get it do you? I did it for you." "What?" " I died for you Miaka. It was my destiny. I was born to love you, to protect you, and to die for you." "Why? Why did you have to die for me? Damn it Nuriko! Why couldn't you have lived?!" "He would have killed you. Ashitare I mean. If I had lived, he would have gone into that house and killed you. If it was a choice between you and me.I'd rather it be me.besides Tamahome needs you." " Have you seen Suzaku yet?" "No." "When you do.will you tell him how much I hate him?" "Miaka." "No.it's all his fault.it's his fault I'm here.and it's his fault you died.I hate him! I hate him!" " It's no one's fault Miaka.it was destiny.besides.even if I'm not here physically.I'm still around.I'm in you're heart." "Then why do I feel so damn empty?" "Because you're grieving.your heart is in pain so you feel lost.but it will dull in time." "It'll dull.but it'll never go away will it.? And you'll still be just as dead. Nuriko?" "Yeah." "Go away." "What?" "Just.leave me alone.Leave me alone until I stop being angry with you." "Alright.but you know where to find me when you need me." Miaka could have sworn she felt someone brush their lips across her face as the voice in her head disappeared. Nuriko. Why did it have to turn out this way? Several hours later, Miaka sat in the empty guest room Chiriko had arranged for her. She just wanted to be alone. Everyone was being so careful of her. Whatever. If they wanted to pretend everything was okay that was their prerogative. Miaka had set her clothes to dry on a nearby chair. She now wore a pair of pale blue shorts. He tank top that matched it was sitting nearby. Mitsukake had told her it would be best if she let the air get contact with the wounds on her back that were yet to scar. That's all her body was now. Just one massive scar after another. Her back was to the window, letting the night breeze caress the scars. There was a light click and the door opened. Tamahome stood in the doorway, framed by shadows. She had avoided him the rest of the night. She didn't want to see him. Not yet. And she certainly did not want him to see her scars. She reached for her tank top on the seat of the chair but was too slow in reaching it. Tamahome was now sitting behind her, tracing his fingers over the scars on her back. Her body went rigid as she just barely was able to feel the touch of his fingers on her back. "Does it still hurt?" "Sometimes." Miaka had heard the double meaning in his words. Did it still hurt to know what her friend had gone through? Did it still hurt to know she had taken a life? Did it still hurt knowing Nuriko had died for her? Yes it hurt, but there was nothing she could do about it. Tamahome continued to trace the scars on her back, tears welling up in his eyes. This was the price Miaka had paid at his failing to protect her. He hadn't been able to stop those Seiryu bastards from taking her back to Kutou, and he hadn't been able to protect her from the pain Nakago had put her through. "I'm sorry," Tamahome said, as his fingers continued exploring the scars," I'm sorry I couldn't stop them.that I couldn't protect you." "Tamahome.it's not your fault.none of it is." " I should have stayed out here all night with you.if I had.this never would have happened to you." "Tamahome." All Miaka wanted to do at that moment was to turn around and take Tamahome in her arms and comfort him, kiss him, tell him everything would be alright. But then she would have to explain the scars, and the growing pain in her heart would not let her do so. Tamahome. She didn't deserve him. He deserved someone better. Someone who wasn't tainted by rape and torture. Someone innocent. "How can you do it?" "Do what?" "How can you stand to touch me?" "Why wouldn't I want to touch you?" "Just look at me! I'm ugly.I don't deserve to have people love me.to have someone touch me the way you do." "Miaka." Suddenly Miaka gasped in shock as Tamahome lowered his lips to one of the many scars that covered her back. One by one he kissed the scars that trailed over what had once been her back. "Tamahome." Tamahome wrapped his arms tightly around Miaka and held her to him. He leaned in close and whispered," I love you Miaka. No matter what was done to you in the past, no matter what scars you carry, I will always love you. And I will always want you. It's my destiny to be with you." Destiny. There was that word again. That hateful word. Why was it always someone's destiny to do something? Why couldn't it just be chance and luck? It seemed to Miaka that destiny must be magical in some way or another. Truly bad things would happen to good people and they would sometimes say," It was my destiny." It had to be magical, or people would realize what was going on and get the fuck away. But life didn't work that way. Nuriko's death had more than proved that. "Tamahome.I love you." Miaka turned quickly in Tamahome's arms, quick enough that he would not see the scars she bared on the front of her body. She did not want to have to explain how they had gotten there. Not now. Not at this moment. Tamahome held Miaka tightly against him. He knew how much pain this must all be causing her, but there was nothing he could do to heal it. All he could do was be there for her, comfort her to the best of his ability. That night the two fell asleep, wrapped in each other's arms. And for once, the dreams that filled Miaka's head were not haunted by images of her past. Instead her dreams were filled with images of her beloved Tamahome. Neither one gave a single thought to the pain that would come with the dawn as they drifted off to sleep. The following afternoon the Suzaku Seven Warriors, and their Priestess, buried one of their own. Each of them said their good byes and laid a single flower on the grave. Then it was Miaka's turn. " I wish I could stand here and tell you how bravely and honorably you died," she started," but I can't. Every time I think about what happened, all I can think of is what a waste it was. I try not to be angry with you cause you were my friend and I love you.but it's so hard.I'm mad at you for living, I 'm mad at you for dying in the stupid way that you did.and then I get mad at myself for being angry with you and I end up back at the same place all over again.I know it wasn't your fault.you did it for me.you tried to save me.you did..you did save me.and I'm sorry Nuriko.I'm so sorry it cost you your life.I'm so sorry.." Tears now ran in two scalding rivers down Miaka's face as she turned and ran from the funeral, from the grave of her friend and protector. It wasn't fair damn it! He shouldn't have died for her. Not for her! She ran until her lungs burned with the need for air. She ran until her every muscle screamed for rest, but still she kept on until she ran into something solid. She brushed the blinding tears from her eyes and was only able to stare in shock at the person standing before her. "So good to see you again, Priestess of Suzaku."
To be continued..*reads what she has just written**sniffle, sniffle* Nuriko..WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nuriko: You stupid @#$$&*(#@! Why'd ya go and kill me? It's bad enough I died in the original! You no good &%*#@$%@*#&$$*$&#^%%@#&$*((##*@)!!!!! I'm sorry!!!! *begs forgiveness and hopes Nuriko doesn't kill her* eep..p-p- please review!!!!
There was a sudden flash of lightening and low growl cutting through the air. Amiboshi looked all around him. Damn it! They had followed him. Now he would have to fight them. "Show yourselves! I know you're here." "Oh Amiboshi, what a fool you are. You should know by now that we don't tolerate traitors among the Seiryu Seven." "Soi. What do you want?" "We only came to teach you lesson boy." "We?" Ashitare stepped out of the shadows of the woods. The feral look in his eyes was extremely unnerving. This was it. They would have a fight to the finish this time. There was no way they would both escape this fray alive. "What's the matter Soi, can't you handle your own fights? You have to have Ashitare fight your battles for you?" "Oh I'm not here to fight you boy. Ashitare is the one with a grudge to settle. I'm just an observer." This confused Amiboshi. Normally when Soi was sent out it was always to fight. He had seen her action and she was most definitely a force to be reckoned with. He did not want to have to fight her, or Ashitare. He knew that if it came down to it, he would lose. Oh he would be able to hold his own for a while, but eventually he would lose. But what Amiboshi did not know, was that he would not face this battle alone. For help was close by. "If you fight him, you'll have to fight me as well." "Brother! I told you to watch Lady Yui." "It's alright. She's safe. I made sure of it," Suboshi assured his brother. "Fine. Let's get this over with. You two are so pathetic. You really think you can take Ashitare all by yourselves?" "If you wanna fight them yer gonna have ta take us on as well." Soi turned toward the sound of the voice and found the Suzaku Seven now standing in the open yard. They were actually going to help Amiboshi and Suboshi? What was going on here? Didn't the twins understand the price they would pay for what they had done? "Now who's running from their battles?" "No one's running." Soi looked behind her to the woods and a small smile played across her face. She knew it was right to bring him along. If the twins were going to have back up, so would they. "Tomo!" Tomo stepped out of the woods, a malicious smile on his face. This was going to be fun. He had wanted to take on the twins for as long he could remember. They had always walked around as if they were too good for him. Now he was going to make them pay. In an instant it was begun. Both sides fighting desperately to win, each person fighting for their own cause, and yet they were all joined just the same. Little did any of them know that a now very weak and conscious Miaka was watching the battle. At the first sounds of battle she had made her way to the door only to find the people she loved fighting with the Seiryu Seven in more ways than one. Amiboshi and Suboshi were fighting their own fellow warriors. She didn't know what had started this but she wasn't sure she liked the direction in which the battle was going. A loud scream cut into the air amongst the sounds of fighting, and her gaze shifted over to the far corner of the yard where Nuriko was facing off with Ashitare. What was he thinking? There was no way he would win! Miaka's eyes went wide in shock and horror as she watched the scene unfold before her eyes. Ashitare's clawed hand tore into the flesh of Nuriko's back and came out the other side. She watched as Ashitare shoved his arm further through Nuriko's body, and then, turning his arm into a half cupped hand, tore it back out the other side, taking the majority of Nuriko's chest cavity with it. Nuriko's agonized, pain filled scream filtered through the air stopping the battle. "NURIOK!!!!!!!"
As Nuriko's body fell to the ground Miaka ran as fast as she could to his side. She slid in the puddles of mud and landed at Nuriko's side. "Nuriko." Tears now welled-up, and began to spill down Miaka's face as she was forced to watch her friend bleed to death. Nuriko raised his hand upward and cupped Miaka's face in his hand. "Don't..don't cry for me ..Miaka.I'm not dying.I'm not leaving you.I'm always going to .be here." "Stop it..stop talking like that..quit talking like you're saying good-bye," Miaka sobbed. "Sure sounds like it doesn't it?" Miaka spared a glance up from her dying friend and saw the doctor standing nearby. Mitsukake.that was his name wasn't it? She heard someone say it when she was drifting in and out of consciousness earlier. "Mitsukake! Please! Please save him Mitsukake! You can't let him die! You can't!" Mitsukake felt the tears welling up in his own eyes. There was nothing he could do for the young man. He could heal most major wounds, but he couldn't replace vital organs. Tamahome now knelt beside Nuriko, tears running down his face as well. Nuriko had been one of his best friends. This couldn't be happening! It just couldn't. "Tama.take care of her.for me.I wish I could.." And suddenly, for the Suzaku Warrior Nuriko, the world suddenly became black, and there was no more pain. No more suffering, except for the pain in his heart. His only regret was that he could not stay. "No.this is.this is some sort of joke..you were just talking..Tamahome..Tasuki..you saw him talking didn't you? It isn't true.! Open your eyes! DAMN IT NURIKO OPEN YOUR EYES!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Miaka screamed. The other warriors all stood motionless, crying. Even Soi had shed a tear for the Suzaku Warrior. He had fought and died an honorable death. Everyone, including Miaka turned their attention to Ashitare, whom Tasuki and Hotohori were holding. Miaka stood and slowly walked toward Ashitare, anger and grief over riding all reason. "Hotohori." "Yes?" "Give me your sword." "What?" "You heard me." "As you wish." Hotohori handed over the sword, which had been in his family for many centuries, not quite realizing what it was Miaka intended to do with it. "Burn in hell you son of a bitch." With that said Miaka plunged the blade straight through Ashitare's body and out the other side, twisting the blade as it bit through bone and flesh. All Ashitare could do was gasp at the pain. But she did not stop there. Pulling the blade from his twisted body, Miaka raised the sword and with one clean swipe, beheaded Ashitare, and watched as his severed head hit the ground and rolled. And now, oh look, he was in two places at once! The thought should have made her laugh. But there was nothing funny about the situation at hand. Everyone stood in a shocked silence. No one wanted to believe what they had just witnessed. Everyone was dumbfounded and their minds were all having trouble processing the realization that Miaka had just killed Ashitare. They were all shocked into a far more deafening silence than before as Miaka picked up the severed head and threw it to Soi. "Tell Nakago this is what happens when he kills a Suzaku Warrior. A life for a life. Now get the fuck out before I do the same to you." No one moved. No one spoke. "Go!" With a sudden blur the Seiryu Seven Warriors, Soi and Tomo, along with the body and severed head of Ashitare were gone. Only Amiboshi and Suboshi remained, both badly beaten and bloody. "Thank you for your help.but please.please go..take care of Yui." The two young men nodded and suddenly they were gone as well. Miaka returned to Nuriko's side as new tears ran down her face. Nuriko.it wasn't fair. It wasn't fair! But there was nothing she could do about it now. The rain was coming down hard now. It was a massive downpour that echoed the pain in their hearts. For the Suzaku Warriors there was an unbearable pain burning its way into their hearts, but for Miaka, there was nothing. She was completely numb to the pain, and the rain pouring down on her, soaking her to the bone. Suddenly she felt a great emptiness within her. In the place where her fondness and love for Nuriko had once been. Now that he was gone, there was a great void in her heart. "Miaka.we should get inside." Tamahome said reaching for her. "Don't," Miaka said, pulling away," Just don't." She did not move from her spot on the ground as Tasuki and Mitsukake picked up the now lifeless form of their dead friend and carried it inside. It. You had to call the body and it now, because to call it anything else would make the reality of it all the more painful. Saying Nuriko's body was an it, made things easier. It made it easier to know that tomorrow, they would burry their friend. Miaka sat in the rain and mud letting it all sink in. Yui. Her best friend had been put through so much torture, and Miaka had been completely helpless. Even now her friend was still trapped in that horrible place. Nuriko. He had done so much for her, been so kind to her, and now.now she would never see him again. "Oh geaze Miaka.you're such an idiot." "I know.I'm know I'm just a cry baby..but." "But what?" "I miss you.it's only been a few minutes but I miss you so much already." "Gee I didn't know you cared." "Of course I cared. I always cared. You were my friend. I loved you. All of you so much and now that you're gone I." " You what Miaka?" "I feel empty.Why did you have to die?" Miaka yelled angrily" You knew you couldn't tale him on your own but you did it anyway! Why? God damn it!" Miaka pounded her fists into the ground sending a splash of mud and other things into the air, staining her clothes. "You really don't get it do you? I did it for you." "What?" " I died for you Miaka. It was my destiny. I was born to love you, to protect you, and to die for you." "Why? Why did you have to die for me? Damn it Nuriko! Why couldn't you have lived?!" "He would have killed you. Ashitare I mean. If I had lived, he would have gone into that house and killed you. If it was a choice between you and me.I'd rather it be me.besides Tamahome needs you." " Have you seen Suzaku yet?" "No." "When you do.will you tell him how much I hate him?" "Miaka." "No.it's all his fault.it's his fault I'm here.and it's his fault you died.I hate him! I hate him!" " It's no one's fault Miaka.it was destiny.besides.even if I'm not here physically.I'm still around.I'm in you're heart." "Then why do I feel so damn empty?" "Because you're grieving.your heart is in pain so you feel lost.but it will dull in time." "It'll dull.but it'll never go away will it.? And you'll still be just as dead. Nuriko?" "Yeah." "Go away." "What?" "Just.leave me alone.Leave me alone until I stop being angry with you." "Alright.but you know where to find me when you need me." Miaka could have sworn she felt someone brush their lips across her face as the voice in her head disappeared. Nuriko. Why did it have to turn out this way? Several hours later, Miaka sat in the empty guest room Chiriko had arranged for her. She just wanted to be alone. Everyone was being so careful of her. Whatever. If they wanted to pretend everything was okay that was their prerogative. Miaka had set her clothes to dry on a nearby chair. She now wore a pair of pale blue shorts. He tank top that matched it was sitting nearby. Mitsukake had told her it would be best if she let the air get contact with the wounds on her back that were yet to scar. That's all her body was now. Just one massive scar after another. Her back was to the window, letting the night breeze caress the scars. There was a light click and the door opened. Tamahome stood in the doorway, framed by shadows. She had avoided him the rest of the night. She didn't want to see him. Not yet. And she certainly did not want him to see her scars. She reached for her tank top on the seat of the chair but was too slow in reaching it. Tamahome was now sitting behind her, tracing his fingers over the scars on her back. Her body went rigid as she just barely was able to feel the touch of his fingers on her back. "Does it still hurt?" "Sometimes." Miaka had heard the double meaning in his words. Did it still hurt to know what her friend had gone through? Did it still hurt to know she had taken a life? Did it still hurt knowing Nuriko had died for her? Yes it hurt, but there was nothing she could do about it. Tamahome continued to trace the scars on her back, tears welling up in his eyes. This was the price Miaka had paid at his failing to protect her. He hadn't been able to stop those Seiryu bastards from taking her back to Kutou, and he hadn't been able to protect her from the pain Nakago had put her through. "I'm sorry," Tamahome said, as his fingers continued exploring the scars," I'm sorry I couldn't stop them.that I couldn't protect you." "Tamahome.it's not your fault.none of it is." " I should have stayed out here all night with you.if I had.this never would have happened to you." "Tamahome." All Miaka wanted to do at that moment was to turn around and take Tamahome in her arms and comfort him, kiss him, tell him everything would be alright. But then she would have to explain the scars, and the growing pain in her heart would not let her do so. Tamahome. She didn't deserve him. He deserved someone better. Someone who wasn't tainted by rape and torture. Someone innocent. "How can you do it?" "Do what?" "How can you stand to touch me?" "Why wouldn't I want to touch you?" "Just look at me! I'm ugly.I don't deserve to have people love me.to have someone touch me the way you do." "Miaka." Suddenly Miaka gasped in shock as Tamahome lowered his lips to one of the many scars that covered her back. One by one he kissed the scars that trailed over what had once been her back. "Tamahome." Tamahome wrapped his arms tightly around Miaka and held her to him. He leaned in close and whispered," I love you Miaka. No matter what was done to you in the past, no matter what scars you carry, I will always love you. And I will always want you. It's my destiny to be with you." Destiny. There was that word again. That hateful word. Why was it always someone's destiny to do something? Why couldn't it just be chance and luck? It seemed to Miaka that destiny must be magical in some way or another. Truly bad things would happen to good people and they would sometimes say," It was my destiny." It had to be magical, or people would realize what was going on and get the fuck away. But life didn't work that way. Nuriko's death had more than proved that. "Tamahome.I love you." Miaka turned quickly in Tamahome's arms, quick enough that he would not see the scars she bared on the front of her body. She did not want to have to explain how they had gotten there. Not now. Not at this moment. Tamahome held Miaka tightly against him. He knew how much pain this must all be causing her, but there was nothing he could do to heal it. All he could do was be there for her, comfort her to the best of his ability. That night the two fell asleep, wrapped in each other's arms. And for once, the dreams that filled Miaka's head were not haunted by images of her past. Instead her dreams were filled with images of her beloved Tamahome. Neither one gave a single thought to the pain that would come with the dawn as they drifted off to sleep. The following afternoon the Suzaku Seven Warriors, and their Priestess, buried one of their own. Each of them said their good byes and laid a single flower on the grave. Then it was Miaka's turn. " I wish I could stand here and tell you how bravely and honorably you died," she started," but I can't. Every time I think about what happened, all I can think of is what a waste it was. I try not to be angry with you cause you were my friend and I love you.but it's so hard.I'm mad at you for living, I 'm mad at you for dying in the stupid way that you did.and then I get mad at myself for being angry with you and I end up back at the same place all over again.I know it wasn't your fault.you did it for me.you tried to save me.you did..you did save me.and I'm sorry Nuriko.I'm so sorry it cost you your life.I'm so sorry.." Tears now ran in two scalding rivers down Miaka's face as she turned and ran from the funeral, from the grave of her friend and protector. It wasn't fair damn it! He shouldn't have died for her. Not for her! She ran until her lungs burned with the need for air. She ran until her every muscle screamed for rest, but still she kept on until she ran into something solid. She brushed the blinding tears from her eyes and was only able to stare in shock at the person standing before her. "So good to see you again, Priestess of Suzaku."
To be continued..*reads what she has just written**sniffle, sniffle* Nuriko..WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nuriko: You stupid @#$$&*(#@! Why'd ya go and kill me? It's bad enough I died in the original! You no good &%*#@$%@*#&$$*$&#^%%@#&$*((##*@)!!!!! I'm sorry!!!! *begs forgiveness and hopes Nuriko doesn't kill her* eep..p-p- please review!!!!
